Review by Kate Wright Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt
Directed by: Louis Leterrier
114 mins : Certificate 12A
What's the story?
Scientist Bruce Banner is on the run from the US army after over exposing himself to gamma radiation and unwittingly unleashing a big green monster version of himself on the world. While Bruce travels the globe in search of a cure (and trying not to get angry), power-hungry General Ross sends super-soldier Emil Blonsky to bring him down.
Who's in it?
Edward Norton takes on the role of the Incredible Hulk's alter-ego Bruce Banner with an enthusiasm no other actor is likely to replicate. Norton's Bruce might be weedier than his predecessors, but that only makes his dilemma and transformations more arresting. Tim Roth is absolutely fabulous as Banner's crazed nemesis Emil Blonsky, while Hurt performs admirably as the General who can't let go. The only let down is Liv Tyler whose ‘breathy' performance as Bruce's true love Betty Ross made us want to give her a good slap and shout, "Speak up, luv!"
Liking?
This new vision of the Hulk seemed much truer to the original comics than previous incarnations and although he still looks über-cartoony in comparison to the rest of the film, the CGI was a hell of a lot more convincing this time around.
Also on the plus side was this film's sense of fun. OK, so it wasn't a barrel of laughs but there were some delightful nods to both the comic book and the original TV series (look out for a cameo from Lou Ferrigno) and some really captivating, playful moments that will have you drooling in anticipation for the next chapter of the story.
Verdict
Although at times The Incredible Hulk felt a little rushed and unconvincing, on the whole it did its job well. There was plenty of action, some spectacular fight scenes (we particularly enjoyed it when the Hulk used two halves of a car as boxing gloves) and some great dialogue from the Hulk himself ("Hulk SMASH!"). Go see it, if only to soak up the excitement of the inevitable superhero cross-over films that will be heading our way in 2011.
